My travel Plans for April - Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow

I'll be traveling with a few friends from March 31st 2003 to April 9th. Looking for any suggestions on cool things to do/eat/stay in these cities, or if you're going to be traveling then, email me and maybe we can hook up and eat or have some coffee or a beer. We're all in our early/mid 20's and I'm taking two first time european travelers (I've been several times) so it's going to be an experience taking these guys to eastern europe.

please don't say that vienna ist eastern europe! depending on what you are interested i could give you lots of recommendations! give me a hint of how much you want to spent each day as well. www.wombats.at is a hostel near the train station with good subway/bus connections.

Vienna is the 'Almost' east Wombats is ok, and clean, but it is often full as it is used by Busabout. Still, it does have a party atmosphere if thats what your after. I would try to stay closer to the centre if you can. For a bit more, we found Pension Wild to be good. (but its quiet, so you have to go out and make your own fun) I guess another good option is the HI, which is about a 10-15 min walk from the centre, but it can be regimented.

MrB.

geographically maybe, but the rest definitely not!

Do me a favor then, don't tell the people that issued my 'European East Rail Pass' (good for travel in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary). At least not until I finish exploring those areas in May.

Huh? I do believe that all of them except for Vienna are most definitely in Eastern Europe! Whatever your definition of this is, you are most certainly incorrect. Poland, Czech, Slovakia, and Hungary are all in the former eastern bloc, comprising part of Eastern Europe.

Politically, if it's _former_ eastern block, then they are no longer the eastern block. And geographically, if 'Poland, Czech, Slovakia, and Hungary' are in Eastern Europe, which part of Europe would Ukraine, Moldovia and Belarus be in?

Two other things to remember: Vienna is East of Prague, and 'Czech' is an adjective, like United or Great.

You are *partly* correct. Czechia (and even Slovakia) are actually considered to be in *Central* Europe. Prague is *west* of Vienna.....

Politically and economically, Czechia was/is much more aligned towards the 'West', e.g. Austria and Germany, than it was towards the 'East'...although Czech is a Slavic language. Historically, there have been strong ties between Russia and Czechia (sometimes 'voluntary' on the Czech side and sometimes not....).

The Czechs and the Poles have often disdained each other. The Czechs consider the Poles to be rather 'low class'.....

Seeking some advice here too! about Vienna Looking for hostel or accommodations that are central and not totally youth party hostel

also any hostel tips (or budget accommodation) in Prague??

Thanks so much! D

web. We stayed there and loved it.

Regards;